Washington – The House on Sept. 13 passed a joint resolution to continue funding for federal safety agencies at the same levels for the next six months.

The federal government’s fiscal year ends Sept. 30, but Congress has failed to pass a budget for FY 2013 amid numerous disagreements on the deficit and entitlement spending. Instead, the Continuing Appropriations Resolution (H.J. Res. 117) will fund agencies at their FY 2012 budget levels until March 27, 2013:

• OSHA: $565.9 million
• Mine Safety and Health Administration: $374 million
• NIOSH: $182.9 million
• Chemical Safety Board: $11.5 million

At press time, the resolution was awaiting action in the Senate, where it was expected to pass and move to President Barack Obama for his signature.